is it possible to ask the forum members about ACA without being political???

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

https://www.healthcare.gov/

You should really look at what the ACA does before passing any claims.
-the enrolling problems are due to high traffic. It basically means a lot of people are either enrolling or logging on to the site.
-The deductible depends on coverage and insurance carrier. You can't compare someone's insurance with currently a $500 deductible to one with a $5,000 deductible because the two are nowhere near the same level of coverage. The high deductible level will likely apply to those who'll need insurance for catastrophic care. In reality, this is actually a good thing for everyone else. People in this category would likely have been uninsured. If they end up in the hospital with a major illness or injury, they can walk out without spending a dime. I know a lot of people in the medical field and this happens a lot. Your insurance rates are high because the hospitals need to re-coup their losses. Don't you get it? We are already paying more for others. This evens the field by forcing the uninsured to pay in to the pool if they expect to have the same level of care in an emergency as the insured. There is very little effect on those that currently have insurance through their job.

It's well written & I believe you. I just don't believe or trust our government. History shows me lies & more lies & less freedoms for us. Sorry but that's how I feel.

[andre12031948]

This NEW topics discussions got me hooked. Before 4:00 eastern, I'll delete my other post that's off topic. Have a nice day...

[Cmike2780]

Originally Posted by andre12031948

It's well written & I believe you. I just don't believe or trust our government. History shows me lies & more lies & less freedoms for us. Sorry but that's how I feel.

That's a separate issue. That trust or distrust works both ways though. How can you honestly trust the Republicans after the current government shutdown fiasco. The ACA needs discussion and debate, but not like this.

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

That's a separate issue. That trust or distrust works both ways though. How can you honestly trust the Republicans after the current government shutdown fiasco. The ACA needs discussion and debate, but not like this.

Word. As a lifelong Republican, this current bunch of idiots sickens me. I can't tell if they're stupid or they think we are.

[birdmanx1]

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by Cmike2780

That's a separate issue. That trust or distrust works both ways though. How can you honestly trust the Republicans after the current government shutdown fiasco. The ACA needs discussion and debate, but not like this.

Did I say anything positive about the Republicans??? I think they are stupid! As far as the Democrats, pandering for self benefit not our country's comes to mind. I'd rather NOT talk about political parties cause that would make this political Plus in my book, most of the people from both sides svck!!!!

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

Word. As a lifelong Republican, this current bunch of idiots sickens me. I can't tell if they're stupid or they think we are.

We agree on this one! They are just stupid!!!!

What chance did Romney have after the Republicans ripped him to shreds....

[blackcherry20]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

And when that person gets hit with something far worse than a broken arm, costs are passed to you. Period. Doctors don't let people die in the streets for lack of insurance. You are already paying for these people's medical care.

Most people get their insurance through their employer. That won't change. The ACA pushed employers who didn't previously offer insurance to employees to set up group plans. Individuals who aren't offered insurance through their employer can purchase their own plan on the open marketplace, or pay a $95 tax penalty.

I am wondering...do you guys think we will see employers drop insurance benefits completely since this new "exchange" wil be there?
and then we wil have to pay for insurance through the exchange instead of paying our portion of thee company sponsored plans we have now?

[birdmanx1]

Originally Posted by andre12031948

We agree on this one! They are just stupid!!!!

What chance did Romney have after the Republicans ripped him to shreds....

47% chance

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

Add a little grey & that could be me

There are some people that actually met me in person. Was I that bad? crazy?

[Chuck33079]

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

I am wondering...do you guys think we will see employers drop insurance benefits completely since this new "exchange" wil be there?
and then we wil have to pay for insurance through the exchange instead of paying our portion of thee company sponsored plans we have now?

I doubt it. They'd be paying a large penalty and losing one of the best ways to attract and retain talent. I've got an open enrollment coming up, and there's been no mention of it here.

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by birdmanx1

47% chance

Nice ^^^^^^ like that!!!!

[blackcherry20]

A Q&A our company posted on the intranet.
I particularly like the last bullet under this heading: You may be exempt from the penalty for not maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage if you


Where Can I Obtain Coverage?


You have four options to obtain healthcare coverage:


• Employer Health Plan

• Spouse’s Employer Health Plan, if applicable

• Medicaid, CHIP, or another government sponsored plan

• The “Marketplace” (also known as the “Exchange”)



What is the Penalty if I Do Not Obtain Coverage?


The penalty for not obtaining acceptable health insurance coverage will be phased in over a three-year period. The amount of the penalty is the greater of two amounts—the flat dollar amount and a percentage of income.


• In 2014: the penalty is the greater of $95 per person or up to 1 percent

of income;

• In 2015: the penalty is the greater of $325 per person or up to 2 percent

of income;

• In 2016: the penalty is the greater of $695 per person or up to 2.5 percent

of income.


“Income” is defined as the taxpayer’s household income minus exemptions and standard deductions.


The penalty for children is ½ the amount of an adult.


Calculating the Penalty for Married Couple and Two Children – Example:


Sue and Bob are married and have two children, ages 3 and 6. They are applicable individuals (i.e., no exception applies), and they do not have health insurance for the 2014 tax year. Their combined household income (after exemptions and standard deductions) is $65,000. Their penalty under the flat dollar amount method would be $285 ($95 for Sue, $95 for Bob, and $47.50 for each child). Their penalty under the percentage of income method would be $650 ($65,000 × 1%). The penalty for Sue and Bob for 2014 is $650 (i.e., the greater of the flat dollar method and percentage of income method).



Who is Exempt?


Who is exempt from the individual mandate?


You may be exempt from the penalty for not maintaining acceptable health insurance coverage if you:


• Cannot afford coverage (that is, a required contribution for coverage

would cost more than 8 percent of your household income)

• Have income below the federal income tax filing threshold

• Are a member of certain Indian tribes

• Are given a hardship exemption by the Department of Health and Human

Services (HHS); you must file for and receive a hardship exemption

• Experience a gap in coverage for less than a continuous three-month

period (may only be used once per year)

• Qualify as a religious conscience objector

• Are a member of a health care sharing ministry

• Are incarcerated

• Are not a citizen, national or lawfully present in the United States


Financial Assistance



Is there financial assistance for obtaining coverage? Beginning in 2014, federal subsidies will be available to low-income individuals who obtain coverage through the Marketplace.



You may be eligible for a subsidy (tax credit) through the Marketplace if you:



• Generally have household income for the year between 138 percent and

400 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL) for the taxpayer’s family size

• May not be claimed as a tax dependent of another taxpayer

• File a joint return, if married

• Enroll in one or more qualified health plans through an Exchange

• Cannot be eligible for minimum essential coverage (such as coverage

under a government-sponsored program or an eligible employer-

sponsored plan)



Important…I

You are not eligible for a governmental subsidy if your employer provides a plan that meets “minimum value” and is determined to be “affordable” under the Affordable Care Act. Your employer will advise you through a Notice issued on or before Oct. 1 if your employer health plan meets these criteria.

[blackcherry20]

Originally Posted by Chuck33079

I doubt it. They'd be paying a large penalty and losing one of the best ways to attract and retain talent. I've got an open enrollment coming up, and there's been no mention of it here.

I hope you are right....but if ALL the large corporations do it you can bet everybody will get dumped and end up in this "exchange"...sigh.

[andre12031948]

Originally Posted by blackcherry20

I am wondering...do you guys think we will see employers drop insurance benefits completely since this new "exchange" wil be there?
and then we wil have to pay for insurance through the exchange instead of paying our portion of thee company sponsored plans we have now?

I think that's a sure thing. That's why the penalties for the companies are very low today. They want them to stop providing insurance to their workers & instead pay a much lower fee for the penalty. I'm as certain of that as the sun rising tomorrow!!! Sorry!!